The Taliban has suspended polio vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan, the UN said on September 16. Afghanistan is one of two countries in which the spread of the potentially fatal, paralyzing disease has never been stopped. The other is Pakistan. News of the suspension was relayed to UN agencies right before the September immunization campaign was due to start. No reason was given for the suspension, and no one from the Taliban-controlled government was immediately available for comment. A top official from the World Health Organization (WHO) said it was aware of discussions to move away from house-to-house vaccinations and instead have immunizations in places like mosques. The WHO has confirmed 18 polio cases in Afghanistan this year, up from six cases in 2023.
Taliban Suspends Polio Vaccination In Afghanistan, UN Says
- By AP

Editors' Picks
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Kabul On Course To Be World's First Capital To Run Out Of Water
2Hundreds Of Thousands Of Afghans Forced To Leave Iran Amid Crackdown, UN Says
3Iran-Israel Conflict Puts Pakistan's Diplomatic Balancing Act To The Test
4A Star Gone Missing: Afghan Singer Vanishes In Country Where Music Is Forbidden
5Taliban's Closure Of Women's Shelters Leaves Afghan Women Vulnerable To Abuse
6US Court Temporarily Halts Bid To End Protection Status For Afghans
7UK Data Leak Spurs Costly Afghan Resettlement And Security Fears
8Suicide Bombing Kills 13 Soldiers In Northwestern Pakistan
9An Afghan Singer, Once Propelled To Fame On TV Show, Goes Missing In Kabul
10Masses Of Afghans Being Deported From Pakistan Face Angst And Uncertainty
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.